New York, New York

After the worst flight ever due to delays a really bad sleep we landed in New York. We took the train into Manhattan on a really hot day. It was sweltering.

Krishni had an image of New York that contained fairy tale dinners and rides through Central Park, Cosmopolitan cocktails in fancy bars and fashion shopping heaven. While most of it came true, I think it was also with a tinge of surprise on what a jungle it is in Manhattan. The hot subway, being constantly surrounded by people, dirty streets and small rooms. It all happens in New York.

We were tired the 1st day we arrived but after a bit of an afternoon nap we withstood the queues at the Empire State Building and went to the top. We tried to time it with the Sunset but this time the Smog spoiled it as the sun disappeared below the smog line 1/2 hour before the sunset time. Even though we were tired we waited till after dark and got to see the skyline at night.

On the way back we went back through times square. It was complete madness. There is nothing really to do there but look at the lights and everybody else that converges there.

The next day we ventured uptown for the Sex and the City tour - not my idea. But it was actually a good tour apart from being on a bus with about 40 women and about 4 scared men. The tour guide was a comic and kept us laughing. Apart from that, it was a good tour because we ventured into the west side and saw some really nice parts of Manhattan. Quiet back streets, charming little roadside deli's and expensive houses. This is the SATC tour group at one of the restaurants that was in the series.

And of course another tick in the box for the K'ster. A Cosmo.

After the SATC tour, we spent the afternoon traipsing around 5th avenue checking out a few stores. We finished up at Saks on Fifth Avenue on Fifth Avenue. I wasn't in the shopping mood but Krishni was. The 8th floor was all designer shoes which strangely enough was staffed by all older type guys.

Krishni was happy as she walked out a proud owner of a new pair of D&G heals (massive discount included of course).

That night, after a very hot day (close to 40C), we dressed up and took a cab ride down to Tavern on the Green - New York's highest grossing restaurant. It is the only restaurant in Central Park itself and therefore has room to expand. Sometimes it is covered with lights. This time it was just lit up by hanging lanterns from the trees.

Even though there was a bit of party happening next door, it still had a bit of magical feel. A couple of raccoons ran across the rooftop and peered down at us. A few minutes later a little squirrel came out from the bushes and pounced around before it darted back into the bushes again. And the meal was pretty good as well. Some of the best lamb I have had. Even with the American touch of a little too much salt.

Since we booked the dinner a month or two ago Krishni had this vision of a horse carriage ride through the park. It was 9:30pm when we left and the horse and carriage that was there when we arrived wasn't there when we came out. We wandered back through the park to another exit without a horse in sight. Krishni said she didn't really care but you could tell she did. We started walking and after about 20 metres I saw the outlines of horse or at least I thought it was. Phew. We closed in and were rewarded for not giving up. He could see we were suckers and reeled us in. He offered as a few different options - one which just basically took us back to the restaurant and back - most of which would have been on the road. We were only there once so I went for the full deal - half around the park. As we started, he started veering away from the park - back down into the city. He soon let us know he just wanted to pick up friend down on 53rd. So there we were. On a horse an carriage, cruising down the main drag of manhattan towards time square on a horse and carriage. The buildings rose in the night - it was mild. We finally made it back to the park and did the full tour as well. It was gorgeous with the old school lamps littering the park giving it the magical fairy-tale feel. Unfortunately, I don't have any photo's as it was dark and I had forgotten by real camera.

The next couple of days were just hanging around. After our initial experience of the NY subway, Krishni pushed to take a tour bus of NYC. It is one of those hop on, hop off buses that come past every 5 mins with a whole bunch of clicking camera holding tourists as they buzz past tourist attractions. My original thought was that it was a whole bunch of money when you could just catch the subway and be there in half the time. Luckly though it ended up being worth it as they also have guides that give you a detailed commentary of the city as you fly past. It was pretty interesting the end. At the end of the 1st day, we got held up at some lights as literally 100 cop cars went off in single file - either heading out on duty or leading a motorcade from the UN that was just ahead.

The last day in New York and we just did the uptown tour around the upper west side, Harlem and then back down the upper East side. We just really stayed on the bus till the last bit when we jumped off and walked through the park for a bit.

We even did our best Statue of Liberty impersonations. Which is pretty funny since we didn't even get time to see the real thing. I will let you judge which is better.

And just before we left we made one final stop. The the Magnolia Bakery for one final cupcake which was made famous by Sex and the City. I actually just went for the blueberry crumble they had going but the smile on Krishni's face showed she was in cupcake heaven.